Aspire to Excellence - Sing, Dance, Act
506-383-5951 x101
Chercher l'excellence : Chanter, danser, jouer
OUR STAFF
CEO - Susan Chalmers-Gauvin
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – Igor Dobrovolskiy
It is essential for youth to begin their training with a qualified and professional group of educators. At the School of Atlantic Ballet, we strongly believe that the connection between youth development and the arts is best fostered through a direct relationship with professional artists and educators.
ADMINISTRATION
Danielle Talbot
Director, School of Atlantic Ballet
DANCE DIVISION
Principal
Yuliia Shevchenko
Ballet/ Dance Division, Advanced ballet
Yuliia Shevchenko was born in Kiev, Ukraine. She began her dance training at the age of five and continued her ballet studies at the Kiev State Ballet Academy. After graduation, she joined the State Theatre of Opera and Ballet for Children and Youth in Kiev. Yuliia worked throughout Europe as a professional ballet dancer. Her extensive contemporary, classical and character dance repertoire included: The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Harlequinade, Romeo and Juliet, Sacred Spring, Pushkin, Casanova, Carmina Burana, Carmen, Four Seasons, Giselle, and Rasputin. In 2002, after giving birth to her daughter Nikita, she joined the Atlantic Ballet Atlantique Canada. Following her extensive professional ballet career, Yuliia has dedicated her time to teaching and youth development. She has been a ballet teacher and choreographer at ballet schools and instructor and artistic consultant for rhythmic gymnastics groups in Europe and Canada. Before becoming the director of the Dance division of the School of Atlantic Ballet in 2012, Yuliia contributed her talents to District 2 high school production as a choreographer from 2007 to 2011 in musicals like Fame (2007), Footloose (2009), Beauty and The Beast (2009), Into the Woods (2009), Grease the Musical (2010) and The King and I (2011).
The School of Atlantic Ballet has seen record numbers in attendance and growth under the tutelage and dedication of Yuliia Shevchenko. She has been a choreographer for all musical theatre productions including A Christmas Carol, Little Mermaid, Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Madagascar, Matilda and many more! She also led the development of an annual full-length ballet production of the school’s dance division each year for the past 6 years with productions like Coppélia , Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Yuliia is a gifted teacher and choreographer and beloved by her many students over the years.
Instructors
Eldiyar Daniyarov
Intermediate Level 2, Contemporary & Character
Originally from Kyrgyzstan, Eldiyar Daniyarov joined Atlantic Ballet Canada in 2012 until his retirement in May of 2024. Prior to coming to Canada, he danced as a soloist with the prestigious Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. He trained and graduated from the esteemed Kazakh National Academy of Arts and went on to become a principal dancer with the National Academic Ballet of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Center of Contemporary Dance, and the Crown of Russian Ballet Moscow. For Atlantic Ballet Canada, he has danced in various productions, including Romeo and Juliette, Piaf, Phantom of the Opera, Iceman, Ghosts of Violence, and Carmen. Mr. Daniyarov is currently holding the position of Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director for Atlantic Ballet. The School of Atlantic Ballet also benefits from the teaching talent of Eldiyar. Eldiyar Daniyarov is also a choreographer and co-choreographed the ballet Snow White and Coppélia for the School of Atlantic Ballet, and also presented a new work created for the professional dancers of Atlantic Ballet in our upcoming season of Ballet by the Ocean.
Olga Petiteau
Pre-Intermediate Ballet, Intermediate Level 1 & Acrobatics
Olga Petiteau trained at the Académie américaine de danse de Paris. In 2007, she was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix competition in New York. She joined Ballet Cymru in 2009, where she performed on national and international tours. She has also been involved in the creation and inception of many neoclassical and contemporary pieces. Olga danced with Vienna Festival Ballet for one season in 2012 and joined Les Ballets classiques de Paris for their international tour. In 2014, she brilliantly interpreted the role of Edith Piaf in Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada’s original production.
In 2024, Olga offered her last performance interpreting the role of Edith Piaf originally created on her in 2013 by Igor Dobrovolskiy in the Atlantic Ballet Atlantique Canada’s original production of PIAF.
Olga now shares her passion for ballet by teaching ballet classes at the School of Atlantic Ballet.
Stéphanie Audet
Pre-Ballet, Pre-Primary Ballet, Primary Ballet, Adult Ballet
Born in Montreal, Stéphanie began her training at l’École supérieure de Ballet du Québec. During her training, Stéphanie had the chance to perform the Balanchine repertory, as well as Swan Lake. She has also been involved in many contemporary new works. This is her second season dancing with Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada. In last year’s premiere of PIAF by Igor Dobrovolskiy, she danced the part of Simone “Mômone” Berteaut. Stéphanie has also performed in GHOSTS OF VIOLENCE and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with the Company.
Malory Avril
Primary Ballet
Malory Avril is a Primary Ballet instructor with over 18 years of dance experience in Ballet. Born in France, Malory began her ballet training at the age of 3 and spent part of her childhood training in Cannes, where she was immersed in a highly structured, discipline-based approach to ballet. Malory trained at the School of Atlantic Ballet, where she learned from instructors Olga, Eldiyar, and Yuliia, and has assisted Stephanie in some of her classes.
Now in her first year of teaching independently, she brings both strong technical foundations and a deep understanding of child development to her classes. She is currently working towards a degree in psychology and has a background in early childhood education, with a strong interest in mental health and creating safe, supportive learning environments for young dancers. Malory believes discipline is a cornerstone of ballet, teaching with clear structure, focus, and respect.
Yuriko Diyanova
Primary Ballet, Adult Ballet
Born in Nagasaki, Japan, Yuriko started her ballet training at age of 3 in Osaka, where over the years of training she acquired remarkable skills in classical, and modern dances. Her artistic excellence and technique were recognized on a national level when she won medals in prestigious dancing competitions in Tokyo and Osaka.
In pursue of new artistic horizons Yuriko moved to Canada were she became a member of Atlantic Ballet Atlantique, where she danced a variety of lead and soloist roles while performing in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, USA, as well as throughout nine Canadian provinces. For several years she has been a returning Guest Dancer for the Sugar Plum Fairy for Kittiwake Dance Theatre’s production of ’Nutcracker’.
Yuriko has an extensive experience in teaching ballet to all levels, having her former students joining prestigious schools in Germany, as well as Japan.
Hajar Affany
Acrobatics Pre-Intermediate, Acrobatics 2, Intermediate 2 contemporary
Hajar Affany is a dance and gymnastics educator with over 9 years of teaching experience and 13+ years of competitive dance training. She has trained in multiple styles including contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, heels, and gymnastics, and has competed internationally, earning awards and recognition for her performance and artistry.
She has choreographed numerous routines, earning choreography awards, and has extensive experience teaching competitive dancers. After moving to Canada, Hajar continued her education at the University of Ottawa and Université de Moncton, while also cheering and teaching. She brings a strong athletic background, including national-level American football, along with soccer, kickboxing, gymnastics, and cheerleading.
Hajar has completed professional training in injury prevention, anatomy, and technique development. Her teaching focuses on proper technique, strength, agility, and safe progression, helping dancers grow with confidence.
She is passionate about creating a positive and motivating environment, supporting dancers in becoming both strong performers!
MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION
Miguel Roy
Theatre Director
Miguel Roy is a theatre artist and performer from Oromocto, New Brunswick. Having built a strong foundation of knowledge and skills through St. Thomas University’s concentration in Drama program, he now works to impart fundamentals and tools to the next generation of artists. With a deep focus on generosity, movement, and character building, his classes aim to prepare students for what comes next, be it community, semi-professional, or professional theatre.
Over the last decade, Miguel has had the chance to work with creators from many different walks of life, including Lisa Anne Ross’s Solo Chicken Productions, Ryan Griffith’s Next Folding Theatre Co., Tania Breen’s Musical Theatre program with St. Thomas University, and Len Falkenstein’s NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival as well as Fredericton’s own Bard in the Barracks.
Since joining the Atlantic Ballet in 2021, he has helped create multiple projects, including Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical in June 2022, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure in June 2023, and recently Shrek the musical in 2025.
Jennie Del Motte
Musical Direction
Jennie Del Motte is a passionate advocate of the study of all genres and styles of music, especially those we encounter most often in our daily lives - not only on playlists and in music classes, but also in grocery stores, movie theatres, and other public spheres. She holds a B.Mus in voice and composition from Mount Allison and an M.A. (Music) from the University of Alberta specialising in musicology, music theory, and film score analysis.
A veteran of professional theatre in the Maritimes, Jennie has served as musical director for both professional and amateur productions for over 25 years, with a focus on new Canadian theatre and musicals. Jennie has also worked extensively as a freelance performer, teacher and adjudicator in voice and piano, and as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach.
As a composer, Jennie has written works performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir (Harvest Moon (2007 commission) and Wondering (1999, YCC winner)) and has written and arranged scores for a variety of theatrical productions including the world premiere of Don Hannah's There is a Land of Pure Delight (Live Bait Theatre). Jennie is also a member of the faculty at Mount Allison University, teaching courses in music theory, history, and practical performance technique.
Jennie is interested in uplifting and encouraging the healthy growth of singers and performers of all ages, and believes that everyone can sing, especially those young people with developing voices who have great potential when someone supports their growth.
Jennie aims to make learning music (and learning about music) a vibrant and accessible language for all ages, genders, backgrounds, and voice types.
Maxyne LeBlanc
Choreography
Maxyne LeBlanc grew up dancing competitively with a strong focus on ballet. She performed in 10 productions of The Nutcracker and in numerous competitions and performances with her home studio. Maxyne also appeared in several musical theatre productions with the Capitol Theatre company, including Mary Poppins (2018) and Beauty and the Beast (2019), and served as Dance Captain for The Wizard of Oz (2020). More recently, she was a featured dancer in Hub City’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar (2023).
Maxyne now teaches at several studios throughout the Greater Moncton area, where she is passionate about helping young dancers build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, artistry, and a love of movement. While she enjoys teaching technique classes, choreography is her greatest passion, and she has been recognized for her distinctive and engaging choreographic style for the many competitive dance teams she has coached.
Having joined the team in 2026, Maxyne is excited to work with the musical theatre dancers, combining storytelling, performance, and dance technique in the classroom. She looks forward to continuing to create and inspire the next generation of performers in her community.
ARTS AFTER SCHOOL
Irina Olkinitskaya
AAS Visual Arts Instructor
Irina was born in Chişinău, Moldova. When she was 20 years old Irina moved to Moscow, Russia where she met her future husband.
After several years of studies in the Moscow State Pedagogical College and then in the Moscow Humanitarian Pedagogical Institute she obtained a Master’s Degree in Pedagogy and Methodology of Early Childhood Education.
In 2012 Irina and her family moved to Canada, when her youngest child was 2 years old and her oldest was 10. From their first years in Moncton all four children were involved in different programs and performances at the School of Atlantic Ballet, and in 2018 Irina joined the School herself as an Arts and Crafts teacher.
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Maika Branch
AAS Theatre Instructor
Maika Branch is an author, performer, and arts educator from Moncton NB. An alumna of the School of Atlantic Ballet, Maika graduated from Mount Allison University in May 2025 with a double major in Drama and English Literature—and she’s now back in Moncton, ready to inspire the next generation of performers.
Maika is also a published children's author and passionate advocate for literacy, having led creative writing workshops across NB for over five years through the provincial Writers in Schools Program (WiSP). She has taught theatre with Live Bait Theatre, Festival by the Marsh, and Ships Company Theatre.
MarK Cameron
AAS Music Instructor
Who is Mr Mark? He’s the master of joyful noise, aka Mark Cameron—but to generations of kids, he’s just “Mr Mark,” bringing wild music, wacky instruments, and a serious dose of energy everywhere he goes! Since 2002, Mr Mark has turned festivals and concerts across Canada into musical playgrounds, from Winnipeg to Iqaluit. He’s rocked lunch boxes at the Banff Arts Centre, made magic with Manitoba schools, and drummed up laughter as a circus camp creator—sometimes with turkey basters, washboards, and coats full of surprise sounds! For 13 seasons, he’s cooked up legendary symphony concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (and even battled the dastardly Boyz of Noise), showing every kid how awesome classical music can be. Whether he’s singing about macaroni and cheese or diving into fantastical symphonic adventures, Mr Mark’s shows always deliver giggles, wiggles, and a whole lot of musical wonder. Love what you do? Mr Mark sure does—and it shows!
Hanna Begunov
AAS instructor
Originally from the Republic of Belarus, Hanna Begunov studied at Vitebsk State University and recieved her Bachelors degree in geography and biology. She worked in education for several years prior to coming to New Brunswick, and is now delighted to be part of the Arts After School team helping students grow and learn to be their best selves.
Ghayda Al-Sharbati
AAS instructor
Ghayda Al-Sharbati is a teacher in sport education. She taught students and gave university lectures in Iraq for several years, then moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirate where she was involved in education. Ten years later, in 2013, she moved to Canada with her family. There she gained experience in After-school programs and had the opportunity to work with Canadian schools through the Anglophone East School district. She is now proud to be a staff member of the School of Atlantic Ballet, where she helps the program to keep going forward under any circumstances and provides only the best for her students.
Maryna Ovchynnykova
AAS Instructor